whispered

[ hwis-perd, wis- ]

/ ˈʰwɪs pərd, ˈwɪs- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR whispered ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

rumored; reported: He is whispered to be planning to run for governor.

Origin of whispered

First recorded in 1560–70; whisper + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM whispered

half-whis·pered, adjective qua·si-whis·pered, adjective un·whis·pered, adjective

Words nearby whispered

whisky, whisky mac, whisky rebellion, whisky-jack, whisper, whispered, whisperer, whispering, whispering campaign, whispering gallery, whisperous

Definition for whispered (2 of 2)

whisper

[ hwis-per, wis-per ]

/ ˈʰwɪs pər, ˈwɪs pər /

verb (used without object)

to speak with soft, hushed sounds, using the breath, lips, etc., but with no vibration of the vocal cords.

Phonetics. to produce utterance substituting breath for phonation.

to talk softly and privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting, or the like): The king knew that the courtiers were whispering.

(of trees, water, breezes, etc.) to make a soft, rustling sound like that of whispering.

verb (used with object)

to utter with soft, low sounds, using the breath, lips, etc.: He whispered endearments to her.

Phonetics. to utter (speech sounds) substituting breath for phonation.

to say or tell in a whisper; tell privately.

to speak to or tell (a person) in a whisper or privately.

noun

the mode of utterance, or the voice, of a person who whispers: to speak in a whisper.

a word or remark uttered by whispering.

a rumor or insinuation: Whispers circulated about the affair.

a soft, rustling sound like a whisper: the whisper of leaves in the wind.

Origin of whisper

before 950; Middle English whisperen (v.), Old English hwisprian; cognate with German wispern; akin to Old Norse hviskra to whisper, hvīsla to whistle. See whine

Example sentences from the Web for whispered

Later, he taught her how to smoke, and still later, they whispered of politics, and fears and hopes for their futures.

Drawing on the Memories of Syrian Women |Masha Hamilton |November 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Her mother warned her that the birds at school could hear her when she whispered, that her thoughts were never hers alone.

How ‘Titanic ’Helped This Brave Young Woman Escape North Korea’s Totalitarian State |Lizzie Crocker |October 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She smiled and whispered, "Are you the girl who was here on Sunday, ringing the bell?"

‘Crazy’ Harlem Pastor Hates on Obama and Gays |Olivia Nuzzi |September 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But on the Nation, these are the kinds of stories only whispered behind closed doors.

A Shooting on a Tribal Land Uncovers Feds Running Wild |Caitlin Dickson |August 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Robin crossed to me from across the room, got down to my level, and whispered “Hi, how are you?”

Mara Wilson Remembers Robin Williams: We're All His Goddamn Kids |Mara Wilson |August 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It was so exactly like the real thing, she whispered to grandmother wiping her eyes.

Letty and the Twins |Helen Sherman Griffith
"You did more when you got out of the cab at the top of the gardens here," he whispered in reply.

The Missionary |George Griffith
This is no laughing matter, dear, whispered Ruth, watching the curly-haired boy closely.

Ruth Fielding Down in Dixie |Alice B. Emerson
The secret you have whispered to me just now, whether true or false, I shall take to him.

Gabriel Conroy |Bert Harte
Hocker and Jeffries moved aside and carried on a whispered conversation.

Canoe Boys and Campfires |William Murray Graydon

British Dictionary definitions for whispered

whisper

/ (ˈwɪspə) /

verb

to speak or utter (something) in a soft hushed tone, esp without vibration of the vocal cords

(intr) to speak secretly or furtively, as in promoting intrigue, gossip, etc

(intr) (of leaves, trees, etc) to make a low soft rustling sound

(tr) to utter or suggest secretly or privately to whisper treason

noun

a low soft voice to speak in a whisper

something uttered in such a voice

a low soft rustling sound

a trace or suspicion

informal a rumour or secret

Word Origin for whisper

Old English hwisprian; related to Old Norse hvīskra, Old High German hwispalōn, Dutch wispern

Idioms and Phrases with whispered

whisper

see stage whisper.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

whispered

adjective

Origin of whispered

OTHER WORDS FROM whispered

Words nearby whispered

Definition for whispered (2 of 2)

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of whisper

Example sentences from the Web for whispered

British Dictionary definitions for whispered

verb

noun

Word Origin for whisper

Idioms and Phrases with whispered

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

whispered

adjective

Origin of whispered

OTHER WORDS FROM whispered

Words nearby whispered

Definition for whispered (2 of 2)

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of whisper

Words related to whispered

Example sentences from the Web for whispered

British Dictionary definitions for whispered

verb

noun

Word Origin for whisper

Idioms and Phrases with whispered